Dispensing device



Nov. 8, 1938. B. F. SMIGGEN DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 mmnmm ml l l I l l':

'IIII'IIIIIIII'II'I/ IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a dispensingdevice and particularly relates to the mounting of a dispensing devicein a hollow body such as a table leg or the like in such a manner thatit can be concealed within the hollow body and moved outwardly therefromat will.

While the invention will lend itself to various uses, it is particularlyadaped as a means for dispensing salted peanuts and the like in suchplaces as restaurants, taverns, etc. The present invention will permitthe mounting of the dispensing receptacle in such a manner that it couldbe moved downwardly into the hollow leg of a table so that the top ofthe dispensing container will lie flush with the top of the table andthus afiord no obstruction to the normal use of the table.

Another feature of the invention is a means for retaining the dispenserin concealed position while at the same time permitting its readyrelease for movement into accessible position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for readilymoving the container from concealed to accessible position with a slow,silent movement.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a ref erence to theaccompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and inwhich Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a table with the inventionapplied.

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, sectional view through the table legshowing the invention applied.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the receptacle moved toaccessible position.

40, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view illustrating thelocking mechanism in looking position.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the locking mechanism movedto releasing position.

I have illustrated the invention used with a 50 table having a top [2, ahollow leg l3 and a base M. Formed in the table top I2 is an opening [5registering with and concentric with the hollow leg IS. The lower end ofthe leg I3 is closed by the cap l6 which is cup-shaped and which has acentral opening formed therein, surrounded by the inwardly projectinginternally threaded sleeve ll into which is threaded the lower end of aguide strip l8 having the elongated diametrically opposite slots 19formed therein. The lower end of this tube I8 is closed by suitable plug5 28 and pressed into the upper end of the tube i8 is a bushing 2|. Theupper end of the tube is welded or otherwise suitably secured, such asby a press fit in a sleeve 22 which projects centrally outwardly fromthe plate 23 which is formed cup- 10 shaped and which is attached to theinverted cup-shaped plate 24 having the enlarged central opening 25formed therein. Projecting at its opposite ends through the slots 19 isa cross-head 26 projecting centrally upwardly from which is a 15 stud2i, pressed over which is the lower end of a tube 28. Mounted on thecross-head and snugly embracing the lower end of the tube 28 is abushing 29 which forms a snug fit in the tube l8. Formed in the tube I8is a plurality of openings 20 30 which, when the device is moved to theposition shown in Fig. 3, are covered by the bushing 29.

Securely clamped on the tube l8 above the openings 30 is a band 3|having the lugs 32 and 25 33 projecting radially outwardly therefromdiametrically opposite to the radially projecting lugs 34 and 35.Between the pair of lugs 32 and 33 is rotatably mounted a pulley 36, anda pulley 31 is rotatably mounted between the pair of lugs 30 34 and 35.Passing around the pulley 36 is a cord or other flexible element 38 oneend of which is attached to one end of the cross-head 2t and the otherend of which is attached to the circular weight 39. A cord or otherflexible ele- 35 ment passes around the pulley 31 and one end thereof isattached to the opposite end. of the cross-head 26, while the other endof the cord 40 is attached to the circular weight 39 at a pointdiametrically opposite to the point of at- 40 tachment of the cord 38therewith. The construction is such that upon movement of the weight 39from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, thetube 28 will be thrust upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to theposition shown in Fig. 3 and the weight 39 normally tends to maintainthe tube 28 in its upwardly thrust position as shown in Fig. 3.

The tube 28 projects through a base plate M which has the inwardlypunched neck forming portion 42 in which the tube 28 engages in a pressfit. This base plate 4! is cup-shaped to provide the peripheral upwardlyprojecting flange 43 which is internally threaded. This base plate 4|forms the bottom of the receptacle and threaded into the flange 43 isthe cylindrical body 44 which is threaded on the periphery at its upperend to receive the cap or closure 45 which is threaded thereon. The tube28 projects at its upper end through a central opening formed in theplate 46, the tube 28 being projected through the plate 46 in apressfit. This plate 46 is formed cup-shaped to provide the upwardlyprojecting flange 4'! which is provided with a lip or outwardly turnedfiange 48 adapted to overlie the cylindrical member 44 and rest upon asuitable gasket 45 positioned on the upper edge of the cylindrical body44. cap 45 is threaded into position, it will clamp the flange 48against the gasket 49 and the gasket 49 against the body 4-4. Formed inthe plateAB are openings 50 which would permit the filling of thereceptacle. Mounted on the upper surface of the plate 46 is a plate 5|having its peripheral portion upset as at 52 to provide a saucer-likeconstruction. A locking mechanism 53 operated by a key 54 is mounted onthe cover or cap 45 and provided with a rotatable pin 55 to which isattached a locking disc 56 which may be rotated to engage beneath theupset portion 52 so that the cap would belocked in position on thereceptacle.

Secured to the under surface of. the base 4! is a plate 5'! carrying theannular abutment member 58 which is formed from rubber or other suitableyieldable material, and attached to engage the under surface of thetable top I2 when the receptacle is in the positon shown in Fig. 3.Carried by the plate 51 are guide strips 59 through each of whichslidably projects a latch member 60. These latch members are connectedat their inner ends by the links 61 and 62 to the actuating rod 63 whichslideably projects into the tube 28 and through bushings 64 and 65mounted in the tube 28. The cover 45 is provided at its center with theinner pressed portion 66 to provide a cavity 61 in which engages thehead 68 formed on the upper end of the rod 53. A spring 69 lies in thecavity 61, embraces the rod 63, and engages at one of its ends the head63 and at its opposite end the plate 5| so as to normally retain the rod63 in the locking position shown in Fig. 3. The ends of the latch boltsfill are beveled so that when the receptacle is forced downwardly intothe position shown in Fig. 2, the latch bolts riding over the plate 24will be retracted and enter the opening 25 andthen spring outwardly toengage the under surface of the plate 24 as shown in Fig. 6. Inpositioning the receptacle downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3into the position shown in Fig. 2, the weight 39 will be raised. When itis desired to release the receptacle for movement upwardly, a downwardpressing of the head 68 will force the rod 63 to rock the links 6| and62 from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7,thus retracting the latch bolts 60 so as to clear the opening 25,whereupon the weight 39 moving downwardly will raise the receptacle intothe position shown in Fig. 3. As the bushing 29 enters the non-slottedportion of the tube [8, a compression of the air in the upper end of thetube l8 will be effected but this air will be allowed to bleed graduallythrough the openings 30 so that while the receptacle moves radiallyupwardly upon release of. the latch bolts, this rapid movement ischecked as it approaches the upper position of movement and the lastpart of the movement is a slow one so that the receptacle graduallyassumes its uppermost position and there is The construction is suchthat as the.

no sudden jar or shock resulting from sudden contact of the ring 58 withthe table top l2.

The cylindrical body 44 is not illustrated as an outlet spout but thesedispensing receptacles are of a well-known type and any type of anoutlet spout may be provided. The device also may be constructed of thecoin operated type if desired.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a simple, compact, durableand economically manufactured dispensing device which may be easily andquickly moved from concealed to accessible position and vice versa.

While I illustrated and described the preferred form of construction, Ido not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown,but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as maycome within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having anopening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said table top andregistering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; areceptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movementinto said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said top; acap for closing the lower end of said leg; a plate mounted in said legintermediate its ends; a tube connected at one end to said plate andprojecting downwardly therefrom and connected at its opposite end tosaid cap; a tube projecting downwardly from the bottom of saidreceptacle and slideably projecting into said first-named tube, saidfirstnamed tube having elongated, axially directed, diametricallyopposite slots formed therein; a crosshead slideably engaging in saidslots and projecting at its opposite ends beyond the periphery of saidfirst-named tube and connected to the end of said second-named tube; apair of spaced pulleys rotatably mounted within said leg and positionedupwardly from said cap; a weight; and a pair of cords each connecting atone end to said weight and extending around one of said pulleys andconnecting to one end of said crosshead, said weight effecting theoutward thrust of said receptacle through said opening upon the downwardmovement of said weight.

2. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having acentral opening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said tabletop registering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; areceptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movementinto said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said tube,said receptacle, upon being inwardly thrust, terminating with its outerend flush with the upper surface of said top; a stationary plate mountedin said leg having an opening formed therein; a tube extending centrallyof said receptacle; a rod slideably extended through said tube; latchmembers carried by said receptacle and adapted for passage through saidopening upon the thrust of said receptacle inwardly, said latch membersbeing adapted for engagement beneath said plate for latching saidreceptacle within saidleg; and means connecting said latch members withsaid rod for effecting, upon a downward thrust of said rod, thewithdrawal of said latch members to inoperative position.

3. A device of the class described, comprising: a table top having acentral opening formed therein; a hollow supporting leg for said tabletop registering with said opening and projecting downwardly therefrom; areceptacle; means for mounting said receptacle for slideable movementinto said leg and outwardly therefrom through the opening in said tabletop, said receptacle, upon being inwardly thrust, terminating with itsouter end flush with the upper surface of said top; a stationary platemounted in said leg having an opening formed therein; a tube extendingcentrally of said receptacle; a rod slideably extended through saidtube; latch members carried by said receptacle and adapted for passagethrough said opening upon the thrust of said receptacle inwardly, saidlatch members being adapted for engagement beneath said plate forlatching said receptacle within said leg; means connecting said latchmembers with said rod for effecting, upon a downward thrust of said rod,the withdrawal of said latch members to inoperative position; andgravity operated means in said leg, below said plate, for moving saidreceptacle outwardly through the opening in said table top upon releaseof said latching means.

BOLESLAUS FRANK SMIGGEN.

